Some days my heart aches for the orphans of this world and I feel so helpless. One of the things that I feel the most helpless about is the fact that so many people are completely unaware of them.
Today I was at a church function and the speaker was telling her testimony. She talked about how as a child she wanted a doll with a teardrop on her cheek called "Little Miss Nobody Loves Me". She went on about how she wanted to care for this little doll, that she wanted to show her love. She also talked about going to auctions/garage sales and buying boxes of unwanted dolls with the intention that she would put them back together. As she was describing these dolls, my heart just broke, because what she was unaware of, was she was describing almost to a "T" the abandoned children of China with special needs. She talked of some dolls missing limbs, eyes, and of others with badly cut haircuts. Of how she would take them and soak them in the bath because they were so dirty and poorly taken care of.
How many of us long to do this, but don't even know what to do with this longing? How many of us know that there are children all over the world, without anyone to love them? Just like these dolls, left with missing limbs, eyes, and poorly cut hair. I think that most of us are completely unaware and it saddens my heart. Who will be their voice?
I have felt such a burden to be their voice. Praying that the Lord will direct me in His ways.
14 Love Like Crazy Comments:
Thank you for praying for the fatherless and for sharing your burdened heart. I just finished the book "Scared" by Tom Davis and have been walking around sort of aimlessly, feeling so helpless and saddened by the number of orphans in the world. From 2002 until 2009, the # of orphans more than doubled from 70 million to over 143 million. **143** MILLION. That's a lot of broken hearts, broken souls....
Hi, I have just started following your blog and I loved reading about the day you got your referral.
I also feel that burden, but feel stuck. There are very few in our community that have adopted or even think of orphans...sigh !!
This post was very touching and beautifully written. Thanks for sharing!
Well looks like you've already started being their voice Jenn.And your daughter is their face. Their Beautiful beautiful face.
I understand your longing. Trent and I have been praying that Ruthie's story would inspire other parents to step out and adopt a special needs child. I will be praying that He shows you what He wants to do with this passion you have for orphans.
That touched me. I too have the feeling that there is something more out there for me to do. And I know it has something to do with orphans and I hope China. I want to bring them all home, but I know that is not possible. But there is something I can do, just not sure what it is. I am praying for direction.
Amy
JENN!...Wow..what a POWERFUL post! The analogy is just chilling!! I'm right there with ya, Sister...I wanna be an advocate for these children, too...and praying that God not only uses me, but cultivates a storm within my husband and children as we travel to China, too! I know it is going to be a life-changing trip, in more ways than just one. For sure!! Thanks so much for this post. It's almost poetic in it's own way.
And on a completely different note, I just have to compliment you and your husband on a job VERY WELL DONE with raising your children up to be leaders for God! Your Lexie has impressed me beyond words. She has such insight and depth to her that I know is absolutely God-breathed! I can't wait to see what He has in store for her future... Surely, GREAT things!! <><
Blessings and Hugs,
~Tanya
Oh Sweet Jenn, You KNOW I'm right there with you. OK, I'm trying to picture where this lady was going with this??? Maybe about how God takes care of us??? How did you sit through that???
I don't get how people, especially in the body, can be so unaware though? Or in church leadership? Or in my family??? That one really hurts, you know? They ARE aware and yet they do nothing. I don't get it.
To leave it on a brighter note, I have NO DOUBT God will (and already is) using you in MIGHTY ways for the orphans of this world. Hugs, L
Thank you SO much for your awesome, AWESOME post! You put to words so much heart.
God sets in our hearts so much ... if we would just take time to understand more fully. It's not the dolls or stuffed animals or the thrill in finding treasures within this material world is it? It is a void that God longs to fill in such a bigger way. Oh it just makes my heart ache to think of any child longing for love that is not there. And really out of our own selfishness. Who will be their voice?
Thank you for sharing your burden. We all need to share in this.
Blessings!
Valerie
Sweet sister,
God is giving you beautiful glimpses of His own heart. He loves the orphan and the outcast with an intense love.
Keep waiting on Him. He will lead you more and more into His heart.
Blessings,
Sarah
And we know, with a little bit of love and attention, those "Broken dolls" have and will become radiant and beautiful! I love how the Lord allowed you to interpret and see what she was saying through HIS lens! I am so with you girl and I think the mountain tops of my life have been getting a glimpse of what the Lord sees in each of those once, broken, little girls. To see them blossom .. giggle and enjoy life. And people want to call them blessed??? On the contrary .. we're the one being blessed to get to see a little of his face through them!
Oh Jenn, I so know how you feel! I'd go back in a heart beat if I could! I pray a lot for direction and what comes next.
I'm so glad I finally got to catch up on your blog. You've been so busy while we were gone! It was kinda fun reading through everything in fast motion!
Karleigh Mei is as beautiful as ever!
Can I reprint your post on my site with a credit line to your site and a link?
I was just so moved by this post it just keeps popping up in my head. It's message is so strong and important. If you're not comfortable with that I still would like to link to your site if okay.
Thank you so much for sharing your burden for those without a voice!
I'm right there with you. We are currently praying that God will reveal His plan for us to move forward after Darcy is home. I know that we are to be involved in orphan care, but the details are still a bit hazy...
Post a Comment